“I knew from the beginning of the week there was this chance”: Jannik Sinner savours world No. 1 after Paris Masters title

Jannik Sinner capped off a spectacular fortnight with another milestone victory, lifting the Paris Masters trophy just a week after conquering Vienna. The Italian defeated Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6(4) in a high-quality final, sealing his second consecutive title without dropping a set. Beaming with pride, the 4-time Grand Slam champion described the moment as “very special”, emphasising both the intensity of the week and the satisfaction of closing the season strongly.

The world No. 1-elect admitted that his approach in recent weeks has been refreshingly simple: take each day as it comes. “We just went day by day, trying to understand how my body feels, how my mind is,” he said. Vienna, he noted, had been both physically and emotionally draining, yet it gave him the confidence to push through in Paris. “Some days felt very, very good. Some days you have to push through. Having this now with me, it’s very special.”

Despite an almost flawless tournament performance, Sinner confessed that relief played a major part in his post-match emotions. “After a week like this, it has been very intense,” he said, grateful to share the triumph with his team. “We know how much work we put in, how much effort. When you have these kinds of results, we are all very, very happy.”

The Italian plans to take a few days off to recover both physically and mentally before heading to Turin for the ATP Finals. “The season is not over yet, but that doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy these moments — it doesn’t matter how big the title is. It’s an amazing feeling having this with us now. But also relief — after a week like this, it has been very intense.”

Every title, Sinner explained, carries its own story. “Honestly, every title you have is special in its own way,” he said. Paris, however, felt particularly meaningful because it came under challenging circumstances, including off-court pressures. “It was not easy,” he admitted. “But I was very focused on playing good tennis. After winning Vienna, you come here and don’t have a lot of time. I’m extremely happy.” His words reveal a player not just riding momentum, but mastering the art of maintaining focus amid a whirlwind schedule.

The 24-year-old’s evolution has been one of constant refinement. Asked what he learned from the week, Sinner reflected on the subtler lessons of consistency and self-awareness. “Usually, you learn more when you lose,” he said, “but I feel like this week has been a learning process — to understand my body much better.” Even in matches that looked straightforward, he admitted to battling through tough moments. “From outside, it might seem easy, but you always have struggles on court. Then from one day to another, you feel much better — that’s the lesson.”

Sinner also discussed his ongoing project of expanding his game, something he mentioned after the US Open. “If you go to a tournament of 100 players, all 100 want to improve,” he explained. “I’m just doing what everyone else is doing — putting in the effort, going out of my comfort zone.” For Sinner, the key lies in balance: “In matches, you need a good mix of trying and winning. You can’t always experiment, but you also can’t play scared. That’s the process I’m going through.”

With his victory, Sinner will reclaim the world No. 1 ranking on Monday — yet he remains calm about the milestone. “It’s not only in my hands,” he said with a smile. “But I knew from the beginning of the week there was this chance.” His philosophy remains unchanged: “Before every match, I try to put the best performance I can on court, and then whatever comes, comes.”

As he heads into Turin, Sinner insists that mindset won’t shift. “I just play the best tennis I can. If it’s not going to be, it’s not going to be. The goal is always to maximise my potential,” he said. For now, he’ll enjoy a well-earned rest before stepping onto home soil “I’m extremely happy. Now we recharge, and hopefully be as ready as possible for Turin. We hope for a great tennis week there.”